Issue: 6/04

By Pat Lenius

Models carrying faucets danced on a runway. An internationally renowned fashion stylist performed makeovers. Refrigerators, lavatories, toilets and shower doors sported artistic designs. Water splashed in or spurted from jetted tubs, assorted showerheads and a wide array of faucets. Agile acrobats performed stunts combining the grace of a dancer with the daring of a circus performer from high above product displays. The 2004 Kitchen/Bath Industry Show held at Chicago's McCormick Place April 1-4 provided attendees with a provocative preview of products created to bring beauty and functionality into homes and businesses.

Delta Faucet Co. unveiled its BRIZO™ brand to replace its current premium line, Delta Select®. Named for a Greek goddess, BRIZO is intended to be a fashion brand in the faucet industry, with high style and advanced design. Circle 1.

Lasco Bathware showed its new acrylic drop-in mount jetted whirlpool/Champagne Bubbler combination tub, featuring traditional styling with a beveled edge. The 66" x 44" tub is also available as a soaking tub with a low-profile deck. Circle 2.

Kohler Co. presented a new category of products, Nature's Chemistry™, that transforms indigenous materials such as metal, glass, clay and stone into evocative fixtures for the kitchen and bath. One of the newest entries in this line is the Tableau™ wall-mount cast iron lavatory. Its side edges roll from left and right to a glossy enameled countertop, then glide into a hollow bowl to form a basin. Circle 4.

Elkay introduced more than 20 highly stylized faucets, including the LK7420 kitchen pre-rinse, featuring a residential-scale dish spray with a single-control joy-stick-like handle to control water temperature and volume. It is deck-mounted, provides an 8" reach and has a stainless steel braided hose. Circle 3.

Rinnai displayed its whole-house tankless hot water system at the show to attract the attention of designers doing kitchen and bath remodels. According to Rinnai, a tankless hot water system saves space and is more energy efficient, particularly for handling custom baths and showers or larger capacity tubs. Circle 5.

Eljer Plumbingware featured the new lightweight Gibralter™ bathtub, available in eight models. The 89-lb. Gibralter series is manufactured using EnduroCAST™ core material, providing the advantages of cast iron without the heavy weight. Circle 6.

Villeroy & Boch unveiled Aveo, a collection of bathroom fixtures inspired by the simple, comforting, oval shape of an egg, designed by Conran & Partners, a British-based design firm. The collection includes a lavatory, bidet, toilet and tub. Various lavatory styles are offered including vessel, vanity and pedestal, and self-rimming designs. Circle 7.

For more K/BIS product highlights, visit PME online at www.pmengineer.com.

Pat Lenius is Managing Editor of PME's sister publication, Supply House Times. She can be reached at leniusp@bnpmedia.com.